Association of Learning Providers

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Glossary

AA

Adult Apprenticeships – aimed at adults over 25 years of age in employment working for towards a level 2 or Level 3 award which includes a NVQ, technical certificate and key skills.

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AAN

Apprenticeships Ambassadors Network

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ACL

Adult and Community Learning

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ALI

Adult Learning Inspectorate – See Ofsted

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ALT

Association for Learning Technology

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AO

Awarding Organisations is any organisation that has been approved to operate within the QCF

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AoC

Association of Colleges -represent and promote the interests of further education (FE) Colleges and provide members with professional support services. Established in 1996 by colleges as a voice for further and higher education delivered at national and regional level; membership includes general further education Colleges, sixth form Colleges and specialist Colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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APL

Accreditation of Prior Learning

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Apprenticeship Field Force

Provides regional support for employers from initial interest in an Apprenticeship through to its completion and further progression. This field force will be available to support the providers of information, advice and guidance where appropriate so as to ensure that correct and up-to-date information about Apprenticeships is consistent and widely available.

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Apprenticeships

Re-branded in 2004 to ‘Apprenticeships’ from Modern Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships is vocational learning for young people up age of 24 years old in the work place – i.e. work based learning. It allows the individual to benefit from practical, on-the-job training and experience, whilst gaining qualifications and earn a wage.

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Apprenticeships - Advanced

Equivalent to 2 A level passes. Advanced apprentices work towards a work-based learning qualification such as a NVQ Level 3, Key Skills and in some cases a relevant technical certificate. To start this programme, an apprentice should ideally have 5 GCSEs (grade C or above) or have completed an Apprenticeship.

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Apprenticeships - Level 2

Equivalent to 5 GCSE passes A-C. Apprentices work towards a work-based learning qualification such as an NVQ Level 2, Key Skills and in some cases a relevant technical certificate. These provide the skills needed for their chosen career and allow entry to Advanced Apprenticeships.

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ASDAN

Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network

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ASSC

Alliance of Sector Skills Councils

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Becta

Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning.

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BIS

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - In June 2009 the Government created Department for Business, Innovation and Skills by merging BERR and DIUS whose key role will be to build Britains capabilities to compete in the global economy

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BRG

Bureaucracy Reduction Group

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BS

Basic Skills

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BSA

Basic Skills Agency

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BTEC

Business and Technology Education Council (qualifications)

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CAT

Credit Accumulation and Transfer is a scheme award that credit points for the successful completion of small blocks of learning and records this credit in a system which allows the achievement to be systematically transferred and recognised by other institutions and employers. The system enables credit to be the common language of achievement across different sorts of qualifications and learning.

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CEL

Centre for Excellence in Leadership and the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) have transferred their operations to the Learning & Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). It will continue to provide CEL and QIA programmes and honour existing contracts until the end of July 2009. See LSIS.

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CETT

Centre of Excellence in Teacher Training

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CIPD

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

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CITB

Construction Industry Training Board

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Connexions

Connexions offer advice on education, careers, housing, the law, money, health and relationships for 13-19 year olds in the UK. Includes web chat, telephone and call-back service.

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CPD

Continuing Professional Development

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DCLG

Department of Communities and Local Government is a Ministerial agency setting policy on local government, housing, building regulation urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue. It has responsibility for all race equality and community cohesion related issues in England.

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DCSF

Department for Children Schools and Families is the department responsible for ensuring the best environment for children and young people to grow up. Making children and young people happy and healthy, keep them safe and sound, provide them a top class education and to help keep them on track.

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DIUS

Previously known as the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (now known as the Department for Business Innovation & Skills - BIS) is the Government Department that brings together functions from two former departments. Science and innovation responsibilities from the Department of Trade and Industry. Skills, further and higher education from the Department for Education and Skills.

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DTI

Department of Trade and Industry

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DWP

The Department for Work and Pensions is a government department responsible for promoting opportunity and independence for all through modern, customer-focused services. DWP are promoting work as the best form of welfare, helping more people into work and supporting those who can't work.

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E-Learning

Learning supported or enhanced by the use of information and communication technology (ICT)

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E2E

Entry to Employment is a preparatory programme for young people aged 16 - 18 years, and is not participating in any form of post-16 learning. The young person will be expected to undertake learning in three core areas: basic and key skills, vocational and personal development in preparation for entry onto an Apprenticeship, employment, or further vocational learning opportunities.

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EAL

English as an Additional Language

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EMA

Education Maintenance Allowance is a weekly cash allowance of £30 paid into a bank account for learners up age of 18 on a full time college or entry to employment (e2e) course. Allowance used to support with learning, travel assistance and purchase of study books.

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ESA

Employment and Support Allowance which is split into two categories i.e. ‘work related activity’ for those with limited capability to work, who will be given help with training and personalised back to work activity. The ‘support’ activity is for those individuals who are unable to undertake work related activities.

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ESF

European Social Fund is one of the four main funds, known as Structural Funds, of the European Union (EU). The fund aims to help people into work, promote lifelong learning and develop the skills of employed people. ESF budgets are managed by Co-Finance organisations e.g. Learning & Skills Council (LSC), Jobcentre Plus (JCP) and Local Authorities (LA).

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ETP

Employer Training Pilots, see Train to Gain

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FE

Further Education post 16 learning be it Apprenticeships, e2e, college/vocational course or Train to Gain provision.

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FfE

Framework for Excellence is simplified performance assessment system that will help drive up performance right across the Further Education (FE) sector, by setting clear and unambiguous standards of excellence that all providers will want to attain and demonstrate the quality of their provision.

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FLT

Foundation Learning Tier is a coherent system of units and qualifications drawn from the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). It will replace and rationalise the current complex range of provision and qualifications below Level 2 for young people and adults.

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FND

Flexible New Deal to be introduced in October 2009 as a new unified approach and revamp of New Deal for all jobseekers regardless of age, skills and barriers to work.

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FOI

The Freedom of Information Act 2000

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Foundation degree

A vocational higher education qualification that combines academic study with practical experience. It is roughly equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree. All Foundation degrees develop work-specific skills, key skills, such as problem solving, and generic skills, such as professionalism.

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GLH

Guided Learning Hours

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GO

Government Offices

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HE

Higher Education

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HEFCE

Higher Education Funding Council for England

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HERO

Higher Education and Research Opportunities

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HESA

Higher Education Statistics Agency

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IA

The information authority is an agency sets and regulates data and collection standards for all organisations involved in further education and training in England.

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ICT

Information Communication Technology

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IES

Integration of employment and skills

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IfL

The Institute for Learning (IfL), a professional membership organisation which licenses all FE teachers in publicly-funded provision

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ILR

Individualised Learner Record

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ILT

Information Learning Technologies - the use of information and communication technologies to support the core activities of educational/training organisations

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IMI

Insitute of the Motor Industry

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ISA

Independent Safeguarding Authority

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JANET

Joint Academic Network

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JCP

Jobcentre Plus provides an integrated service to people of working age. It offers help to people looking to move into work and support for people who can't. JCP also provides a range of services to help employers fill their vacancies quickly.

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JISC

Joint Information Systems Committee is a strategy advisory committee working on behalf of the higher and further education bodies for the UK with funding from all the FE and HE Funding Councils. It also works in partnership with the Research Councils.

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JISC RSCs

JISC Regional Support Centres exist to advise the learning providers of designated sectors to realise their ambitions in deployment of information and communications technologies (ICT) to achieve their organisational mission

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JSA

Jobseekers Allowance is a benefit allowance paid to jobseekers based on national insurance contribution from the claimant or based on the claimant’s income and savings.

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KS

Key Skills are the skills that are commonly needed for success in a range of activities in education and training, work and life in general. The key skills consist of six components i.e. Application of number, Communication, Improving own learning and performance, Information and communication technology, Problem solving and Working with others.

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LA

Local Authorities have a wide range of powers and duties. National policy is set by central government in England via Communities and Local Government department. It is responsible for national policy on how local government is set up, what it does, how well it works, and how it is funded. Other central government departments deal with national policy on local services, in particular: Department for Children, Schools and Families (DSCF), Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Department of Health (DoH) and Department for Transport (DoT).

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LAA

Local Area Agreements

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Learn direct

An online learning provider offering short courses, NVQs leading up to degrees for individuals and employees wanting to improve their skills or enhance their career prospects. See Ufi.

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LGA

Local Government Association established in 1997, as a voluntary lobbying organisation, acting as the voice of the local government sector, and an authoritative and effective advocate on its behalf. The LGA represents 466 local authorities from across England and Wales.

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LIG

Learning Innovation Grant is a funded programme from LSC delivered by the Association of Learning Providers (ALP). The purpose of the LIG programme is to provide capital investment for Government funded independent work-based learning (WBL) organisations (offering Apprenticeships or Train to Gain learning programmes) to exploit the use of technology in learning and management in order to improve the learners experience leading to improved learner retention, motivation and achievement.

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LLUK

Lifelong Learning UK is one of the 25 independent employer-led Sector Skills Council responsible for the professional development of all those working in community learning and development, further education, higher education, libraries, archives and information services, and work based learning across the UK.

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LMI

Labour Market Information

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LSC

The Learning and Skills Council is a national funding and planning agency operating in England to provide better skilled and more competitive workforce. With the single goal to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults to ensure we have a workforce of world-class standard.

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LSDA

Learning and Skills Development Agency – See LSN

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LSIS

The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) is the new sector owned body, formed from Centre for Excellence and Leadership (CEL) and Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) to develop excellent and sustainable FE provision across the sector. Working in partnership with all parts of the sector to provide vision, leadership, clarity, and high quality support; practising and enabling continuous self improvement and capacity building.

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LSN

Learning and Skills Network is an independent not-for-profit organisation with the aim of delivering quality improvement and staff development programmes that support specific government initiatives, through research, training and consultancy; and by supplying services directly to schools, colleges and training organisations..

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MA

Modern Apprenticeships See Apprenticeships, in Scotland it is known as Modern Apprenticeships.

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MAA

Multi Area Agreements

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Matrix Standard

This is a national quality standard for organisations offering information, advice and guidance services relating to learning and work. Its purpose is to help organisations to maintain high standards and improve their existing services. The Matrix Standard consists of eight parts, four that focus on how the services are provided and four that focus on how they are managed

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MoG

Machinery of Government

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MoU

Memorandum of Understanding

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NAS

National Apprenticeship Service comes into effect from April 2009, NAS will assume end-to-end responsibility for the delivery of Apprenticeships. It will have ultimate accountability for the national delivery of targets, co-ordination of the funding for Apprenticeship places, assessment of providers of Apprenticeships and leading a national marketing and information service

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NATFHE

National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (union)

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NCVO

National Council of Voluntary Organisations

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ND

New Deal is a programme managed by Jobcentre Plus that gives people on benefits the help and support they need to look for work, including training and preparing for work.

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NDAQ

The National Database of Accredited Qualifications contains details of qualifications that are accredited by the regulators of external qualifications in England (Ofqual), Wales (DCELLS) and Northern Ireland (CCEA)

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NEET

Not in Education, Employment or Training with regard to young people aged 16-18

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NES

National Employer Service is a funding and planning agency for large employers i.e. 5000+ contracts directly with NES regarding Apprenticeships and Train to Gain. From April 2009 it will form part of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) responsibility.

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NIACE

National Institute of Adult Continuing Education is the leading non-governmental organisation for adult learning in England and Wales. Its aim is to promote the study and general advancement of adult continuing education. This includes taking positive action to improve opportunities and widen access to learning opportunities for communities under-represented in current provision.

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NIPB

National Improvement Partnership Board

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NOCN

National Open College Network

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NOS

National Occupational Standards are statements of the skills, knowledge and understanding needed for an individual to meet the standards expected of them in employment. Each standard is split into groups of activities, called units, which in turn are divided into elements.

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NTO

National Training Organisation, see SSC

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NVQ

National Vocational Qualification are work-related, competence based qualifications that reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively. They represent national standards recognised by employers throughout the country. NVQs are based on national occupational standards, which describe the competency required in a given occupation.

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Ofqual

• Oversees all qualifications on offer • Monitors the standards of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) • Monitors the criteria for entering units and qualifications on the QCF • Accredits awarding organisations. The criteria for the major qualifications such as GCSEs, A-Levels and Diplomas will be developed by Ofqual’s sister agency, the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA)

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Ofsted

The new Ofsted – the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills inspectorate came into being on 1 April 2007 combining the experience of four formerly separate inspectorates. It will inspect and regulate care for children and young people and inspect education and training for learners of all ages

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OTS

The Office for the Third Sector

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PFR

Provider Funding Report

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PLA

Programme Led Apprenticeship

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PLP

Programme Led Pathways

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PSA

Public Service Agreement are Government targets. In 1998 the Comprehensive Spending Review introduced Public Service Agreements (PSAs). These are part of the Government's improvements to public services. Each PSA is split into targets. Each target contains detailed information including a statement of who is responsible for its delivery, how it will be measured and how its success will be defined. The progress of these targets is monitored through regular reporting

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QCA

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is a guardian of standards in education and training. The QCA works with other agencies to maintain and develop the school curriculum and associated assessments and to accredit and monitor qualifications in schools, colleges and at work

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QCDA

see Ofqual

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QCF

Qualification and Credit Framework is a unit and credit-based vocational qualification framework in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Vocational Qualifications with units or components allowing greater flexibility in the structure of qualifications, such as optional and employer-specific units. Units can also be completed at learners' and employers' convenience. Each unit is worth a number of credit points, based on learning hours. Credit points are awarded after each unit is successfully completed, and learners' achievements are captured on a learner record.

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QIA

Quality Improvement Agency – See LSIS

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QTLS

Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills

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RDA

Regional Development Agencies are Government agencies that craft or support development strategies in each of the nine English regions

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Regional Field Force

See Apprenticeship Field Force

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RPL

Recognition of Prior Learning is the granting of credit based on recognition of prior formal and non-formal learning through the assessment of evidence

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SFA

Skills Funding Agency is a new dedicated funding agency building on the success of the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) responding to national, regional and local skills needs. It will maintain oversight of the coherence and performance of the whole further education (FE) service and especially its responsiveness to the strategic skills needs of employers and learners and be responsible for the performance management of FE Colleges and other providers

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Skills Pledge

Is a target set by the government for all employers who have voluntarily signed the Skill Pledge to support and ensure 95% of their employees improve their skills and qualifications to at least a level 2 NVQ or quivalent qualification by 2011

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SSA

Sector Skills Agreements provides the framework for sector skills councils to work with employers, key delivery agencies and Government to address priority skills issues in their sectors.

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SSBs

Standard Setting Bodies are independent employer led UK wide organisations responsible for setting vocational and occupational standards.

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SSCs

Sector Skills Councils are independent, employer-led, UK wide organisations designed to build a skills system that is driven by employer demand. There are currently 25 SSCs covering over 90% of the economy and they all work towards the following four key goals, reduced skills gaps and shortages; improved productivity, business and public service performance; increased opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the sector's workforce; improved learning supply through National Occupational Standards, apprenticeships, and further and higher education.

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SSDA

Sector Skills Development Agency, see UKCES

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SVUK

Standards Verification UK is the sister company of LLUK which endorses initial teacher training qualifications and specialist qualifications for ESOL, numeracy and literacy education. See LLUK

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TES

Times Educational Supplement

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TQS

Training Quality Standard to replace the CoVE programme and the LSC Quality Mark. This new, higher standard has been designed by employers and SSCs to improve the responsiveness of all the employer-facing services offered by further education colleges and training providers, as well as recognising their specialist vocational excellence in skills delivery

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TtG

Train to Gain is the national skills service that support employers of all sizes and in all sectors to improve the skills of their employees as a route to improving business performance. The skills broker may recommend training courses for employer’s workforce from a range of available courses, from an approved list of training providers including colleges and independent training providers

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TUC

The Trade Union Congress is the national trade union centre in the UK, representing the vast majority of organised workers.

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Ufi

University for industry is the organisation behind learndirect and UK online centres – a unique public-private partnership network in England, Wales and Northern Ireland supporting e-learning and e-services. Its remit includes being a technologically innovative provider in improving skills for work and providing advice and access to online public services through UK online centres

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UKCES

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills was established in 2008 as a result of the Leitch Review. It is primarily composed of business leaders, and also has members drawn from the trade unions and local Government. It is responsible for advising BIS/DWP on the skills and employment needs of the country, including regional strategic needs. The commission will also work on developing the National Occupational Standards and contribute to vocational qualifications reform, working in both areas with the Sector Skills Councils

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UKRLP

UK Register of Learning Providers

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ULN

Unique Learner Number is a 10-digit identifier which is applied to the Personal Learning Record (currently under development, will be ready by end of 2009) of anyone over the age of 14 involved in UK education or training. Learners will retain the same number for accessing their Personal Learning Record throughout their lives, whatever their level of learning and wherever they choose to participate

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Unionlearn

Is the learning arm of the TUC, established in 2006, through their team of Union Learning Representatives (URLs). They broker learning opportunities for thier members, running phone and online advice services, securing the best courses to meet union learners' needs and kite marking union academy provision to a quality standard.

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URL's

Union Learning Representatives who provide information, advice and guidance to union learners regarding education and training, e.g. Skills for Life and NVQ training.

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VBS

Vetting and Barring Scheme

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VLE

Virtual Learning Environment

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VMS

The Vacancy Matching Service (VMS) is an online portal which provides all the information available on Apprenticeships vacancies. It is designed to provide opportunities to match potential apprentices with employers who have vacancies. VMS will track learners’ and employers’ progress through the system and identify where intervention is needed, whilst also recording information on Apprenticeships and the employers that offer them

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WBL

Work based Learning - See Apprenticeships

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WEA

Workers’ Educational Association

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YA

Young Apprenticeships allows 14- to 16-year-olds to learn on the job, while building up skills and gaining experience. Young Apprenticeships allow young people to study for industry-specific qualifications while spending up to two days a week in the workplace

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YJS

Youth Justice System

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YOT

Youth Offending Team

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YPLA

Young People’s Learning Agency is a pre 19 funding agency and from April 2009, will work with the Government and local authorities to help develop and deliver vision and policy for young people’s learning by providing funding to providers

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